Billy Slater talks life after football and his dad’s fight for life
BILLY Slater is preparing to convert his success in rugby league into his next venture. But as he and his wife build their new empire, it means the couple have no plans to move back to Queensland.
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BILLY Slater says he doesn’t fear life after football as the Queensland Origin star prepares to convert his success in rugby league into becoming a champion horse breeder.
On the eve of his 319th and final game for Melbourne in tomorrow’s NRL grand final against the Roosters, Slater outlined his desire to one day be a kingpin in the Australian breeding industry.
The champion fullback also opened up about the Slater’s family ordeal.
Just three weeks before the Storm ace won his shoulder charge case at the NRL judiciary to be cleared for tomorrow’s decider at ANZ Stadium, he was at his father’s hospital bedside as Ron Slater wages a life-threatening battle with emphysema.
A former footballer himself, Ron and wife Judy will fight back tears tomorrow night when they watch their son run out for his farewell game after 16 glittering seasons with the Storm.
For many rugby league players, retirement represents a confronting mental minefield of uncertainty.
Not for Slater. In recent years, sensing the end was nigh, the kid from Innisfail decided he would rekindle his childhood passion for horseracing by venturing into the world of breeding.
Slater and wife Nicole, also a horse lover, have no interest in failing. A Melbourne Cup or Group One winner one day? Perhaps. Get ready for Slater Inc.
“I don’t do things to run second — I want to breed the best possible horses,” said Slater, who was a trackwork jockey as a teenager before launching his NRL career with the Storm.
“I’ve bought the best possible mares that fit inside my budget and take them to the best possible stallions that they combine well with.
“I’m not just dipping my toe in. I am passionate about the industry and I want to give us the best chance to be successful.
“I’ve always loved the racing industry. We have two brood mares and we have set up a company called Slater Thoroughbreds. You never know what will happen, but you have to be in it to win it. We envision our life breeding racehorses and hopefully they can go on and become successful racehorses.”
Such is the desire to succeed, the Slaters have no plans to move back to Queensland. They are currently building a new property on vast acreage in Victoria with a view to cultivating a breeding empire.
“We originally planned to move back home,” said Slater’s wife Nicole, the mother of their two children Tyla Rose, nine, and seven-year-old Jake.
“We had bought some land in Queensland and we were ready to come back whenever Bill retired.
“Then we started to see ourselves really enjoying our life in Victoria.
“I grew up loving horses and was competitive with horses and that’s where Billy and I first met. We have a history with horses and that’s what ties us together. Billy is a footballer and I’m an artist and it doesn’t seem like it goes together, but our love of horses makes us a good match.
“We can always holiday in Queensland, but I see us staying here. We are building our dream home on our farm. Things can change, but I don’t see things changing.
“We are happy to call Melbourne home.”
The tyranny of distance presents challenges.
Last month, Slater rushed back to north Queensland following news his father Ron was fighting for his life after a health scare linked to his lung disease. A smoker of 50 years, Ron was chopping down trees at home when he suddenly struggled to breathe.
Flown to hospital in Cairns, Ron was placed in an induced coma. He says he is lucky to be alive and has given up smoking.
“Dad is tough,” Slater said.
“Thankfully, he’s doing much better. He was in hospital for a bit, but he’s back home and everything is looking good.
“Dad instilled rugby league into me and my passion for the game. Ever since I can remember, I was going training with dad and going to games with him on the bus. He played and coached throughout my childhood.
“It’s never easy to go through those tough times, so it was important for dad to be where he was (in hospital).
“But we’re in a much better position now.”
The relief on Slater’s face was palpable when he walked out of the NRL judiciary a free man last Tuesday night.
Now he gets the chance to write one last NRL fairytale.
“I am excited. Retirement has snuck up on me,” he said.
“The bigger the game the more nervous I get, but I’m only nervous because of what’s at stake and because the result means something to me.
“We have worked really hard at the Melbourne Storm for a long period of time this season. Hopefully we can get the right result and finish with a premiership.”
ONE IN A BILL-ION
Former teammates and rugby league greats reveal what they admire most about the retiring Billy Slater.
WALLY LEWIS
Maroons legend and NRL Immortal
He is a perfectionist. He’s been one of those blokes who you don’t need to say much to because you realise he’s already achieved basically everything there is to do in the game. He is someone who doesn’t take no for an answer or go a little bit easy — he realises if you want to get something out of the game, you’ve got to put in plenty. The number one priority for him will be doing his job for Melbourne and not worrying about the retirement.
DARREN LOCKYER
Former Queensland and Australia teammate
In my mind, he is the greatest fullback I’ve seen. I didn’t start watching rugby league until the mid-1980s, but I can’t recall any fullback over that period matching Billy’s achievements in the game. People talk about his speed and skill, but what I’ve respected the most throughout his career is his mental and physical toughness. He has nothing left to prove in the game, and one day people will be talking about Slater as an Immortal. He’s a footballing champion.
MAL MENINGA
Former Queensland coach and NRL Immortal
Billy could have been a star in any sport because of his competitiveness, preparation and dedication. Teammates will tell you it was these qualities that made him so great. Billy was not spotted as a teenage prodigy and groomed for stardom. Every time someone told him he couldn’t (make it), he just worked harder. That determination shone through during the darkest days of his career, when he had two seasons wiped out due to injuries. Billy is brilliant in every sense of the word. He is grateful, respectful, humble, and always mindful of the things that really matter.
STEVE RENOUF
Former Broncos and Queensland centre
The game has some incredible fullbacks. Clive Churchill and Graeme Langlands are Immortals, and I dare say Billy Slater will one day be in that category. When Billy made his Origin debut in 2004, he scored one of the best tries I’ve ever seen. He is still dominating the game. Billy is a great team player, a great ambassador and I would love to see him finish with a premiership.
NATHAN FRIEND
Ex-Storm teammate
You knew he was just a talent. He was a guy with a lot of aggression and a great attitude for someone his size. He had a big motor. We’d be doing runs and he’d be a mile ahead. He was fast, physical, and could do long distance. He had the makings of a great athlete. When you get the athlete and the mentality, that’s what happens. It’s great to see him kick on. He is a good man.
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